BENTON COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – The newest member of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office is only 12 weeks old, but officials say he already has an important job: helping take care of the people who spend their days responding to others in crisis.
Stanley is a new wellness dog at the Benton County Law Enforcement Center. Unlike dogs traditionally associated with law enforcement, Stanley is not a K-9 trained to track suspects or detect illegal substances. His role is focused on supporting the mental health and well-being of deputies, dispatchers, jailers and other first responders.
Benton County Sheriff Dave Upah said those employees regularly encounter situations most people never experience…